Ontario Library Workers
Precarious work in libraries: A lose-lose situation for workers and the public
CUPE's National Library Workers Committee has put together an image to highlight precarious work in Canada's Libraries. Please follow the link below to learn more:
Library Workers Gather in Richmond Hill
On March 24th & 25th over 60 Library Workers from across Ontario gathered in Richmond Hill for CUPE Ontario's annual Library Workers Conference. Delegates spent two days networking and discussing strategies for tackling issues facing Library Workers in Ontario. Plenary speaker Dr. Maurice Freedman spoke about the many benefits that unions bring to Libraries.
Mitch Freedman Wins Prestigious Joseph W. Lippincott Award
Mitch Freedman, a tireless advocate for libraries in the United States of America and plenary speaker for the 2014 CUPE Ontario Library Workers Conference, has recently been awarded the prestigious Joseph W. Lippincott award by the American Library Association.
From the Article:
The jury for the 2014 Joseph W. Lippincott Aware is delighted to honor Dr. Maurice J. (Mitch) Freedman,” said Lippincott Chair Patricia Glass Schuman. “Mitch is an outspoken and visionary leader and a tireless advocate for better salaries and pay equity for all library workers, and for the humanistic application of technology in libraries. His contributions have had profound and lasting impact on who we are, what we do, our values, and what our work is worth. He has literally changed the way librarians talk about our libraries and our profession.”
Read the full article at New City Patch by clicking here.
Source Link: http://bit.ly/1l6PPpQ
Final Call to Conference 2014
Please click here for the final call for the 2014 Library Workers Conferece to be held on March 25th & 26th at the Sheraton Parkway North in Richmond Hill.
First Call for Ontario Library Workers Conference 2014
The first call for CUPE Ontario's 2014 Library Workers Conference has been sent to locals. The conference will take place on Tuesday March 25th & Wednesday March 26th at the Sheraton Parkway North in Richmond Hill. Please click here to read the call.
Help Santa Bring Fairness to Bonfield
The 16 members of Local 4616 in Bonfield have been on a defensive strike for nearly four months. As the holidays approach, you can help Santa to raise their spirits and bring fairness to Bonfield.
CUPE Ontario invites your Local to contribute to a toy drive so that our sisters and brothers in Bonfield can provide a memorable holiday season for their children and grandchildren.
For more information on contributing a gift, please contact Michele Osborne at 705-928-6808 or michele1963@hotmail.ca
TPL Celebrated by Vincent Lam
Giller Prize winning author Vincent Lam calls on the citizens of Toronto to support their public library in an article published by the Toronto Star. Read the full article at the link below:
Local 4948 to host Forum on the Future of Toronto Public Library
The first-ever City Hall Forum on the Future of Toronto’s Public Library will be held in the Toronto Council Chamber on Sunday, November 24TH from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. All ages are welcome. So are all viewpoints.
A panel of public service experts and authors will lead the discussion. But audience participation is the main point of this unique event. For those who care about Our Public Library, – i.e., most Torontonians – it will be a stimulating and seminal event, an expression of modern democracy inthese largely leaderless times.
For full details read the full announcement by clicking here.
Library Workers Celebrated in Guelph
Members of CUPE Ontario's Library Workers Committee headed to Guelph on Monday, October 7th to celebrate the work of library workers across the province. In 1883, Guelph Public Library adopted the Free Library Act, making it one of the first public libraries in Ontario and the perfect place to celebrate the contributions that library workers make to their communities throughout Ontario. Members of CUPE 1946, Guelph Library Workers, and CUPE Ontario President, Fred Hahn, were also on hand.
Over 100 members of the Guelph community were greeted on their way into and out of the Main Branch of Guelph Public Library. Committee members interacted with the public through postcards and candy bag giveaways. CUPE 966's Pink bus was on hand to transport the committee and as a point of interest to numerous children using the library.
Continue reading for more pictures.
Ontario Library Workers Committee to salute Library Workers
On Monday, October 7th representatives from the Ontario Library Workers Committee, alongside members of CUPE 1946, Guelph Public Library Workers, will hold an information picket outside the Guelph Main Library to celebrate the work of Library Workers across the province of Ontatio.
Guelph Public Library was chosen as the site of this inagural event as it was one of the first public library's in Ontario under the free libraries act in 1882.
Along with being Canadian Library Month, October is also host to Ontario Public Library Week and the committee hopes this event will raise the awareness of what library workers do and how well they serve their communities.
Full details of the event are below:
What: Library Workers Information Picket to Celebrate the work of Library Workers across Ontario
When: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Monday, October 7th, 2013
Where: Guelph Public Library, Main Library, 100 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON, N1H 4J6
Why: To celebrate Canadian Library Month & Ontario Public Library Week and to highlight the work of Library Workers
Who: CUPE Ontario Library Workers Committee Members, OMECC Chair, Member of Local 1946, Guelph Public Library Workers
AMO Conference 2013
Maureen O'Reilly, Vice Chair of the Ontario Library Workers committee and President of CUPE 4948, Toronto Public Library Workers, attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's (AMO) annual conference from August 18th - 21st along with a delegation from OMECC and CUPE Ontario. A full report of Maureen's experiences at AMO can be found by clicking here.
Stand Up for Fairness
CUPE Ontario has launched the Stand Up for Fairness Campaign. Is your local taking part? For more information and to get involved click on this link: http://standupforfairness.ca
Engaging Patrons: Fight Back on the 2011–2012 Toronto Budget and Beyond
Toronto Public Library Workers fought a successful fight back campaign against budget cuts in the 2011-2012 budget cycle. Maureen O'Reilly, President of the Toronto Public Workers Union, wrote a paper about the campaign for the Canadian Journal of Library Information Practice and Research which we are happy to share with you. Please click here to access the article.
Kingston Frotenac Public Library Workers Celebrate Earth Day
Members of CUPE 2202, Kingston Frotenac Public Library Workers, are celebrating Earth day by offering free totes to Library patrons. Read on for the letter included with the totes.
New Featured Local
A new local has been added to the Featured Local Section. Click through to hear the story of the Library Workers from CUPE 905.
CLA dismayed at budget cuts to Newfoundland and Labrador provincial library service
(Ottawa, April 5, 2013) - The Canadian Library Association is dismayed to learn of the budget cuts to the public library service of Newfoundland and Labrador. According to a CBC news report, the provincial government has cut $1.2 million in funding to public libraries, representing 10% of the library system’s budget. Yesterday, the Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association(NLLA) confirmed that 5 professional librarians, as well as an unconfirmed number of support staff, were laid off. Opening hours for libraries across the province will also be affected. There are now just 9 professional librarians serving a system of 96 provincial public libraries. The loss of 36% of the professional staff complement will have serious negative implications for long-term leadership in planning, service development, and systems management.
Source: http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=14075
Newfoundland and Labrador Government to Lay off Library Staff
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador are laying off 5 of 14 professional librarian from the province's provincial library system.
For full details visit: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2013/04/09/nl-library-cuts-ndp-forum-409.html?cmp=rss
Final Call: CUPE Ontario Library Workers Notice
A final call has been made for delegates to the 2013 CUPE Ontario Library Workers Conference. The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Niagara Falls on April 2nd and 3rd. Full registration details can be found here.
Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union campaign garners OLA Media and Communication Award
The workers who make Toronto’s Library system the busiest in the world are being honoured this week for their communications skills.
The Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union (TPLWU), Local 4948 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 4948), will receive this year’s Media and Communications Award from the Ontario Library Association at its annual super conference taking place this week at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.